Normally, I’m all for pasta in its various forms…but I can’t get behind Buddy’s breakfast spaghetti in Elf. However, the pancake spaghetti and pancake cereal trends over the past few years got me thinking: What if you used flapjack batter as the base instead? Boom—an elf breakfast that we mortals would enjoy too.

Using a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped, I created squiggly pancakes that—when stacked up—look remarkably like spaghetti. Create a toppings bar for people to decorate their short stacks however they wish, and you’ve got a Buddy the Elf-worthy breakfast that’s perfect for a holiday party, Christmas morning or even a lazy Saturday that could use a little magic.

(Pro tip: Amp up the supernatural vibes with a drizzle of Runamok Sparkle Syrup, which is regular maple syrup swirled with an edible, pearlescent mica.)

Toppings Ideas for Your Elf Pancakes:

While you may score bonus points for sticking to an elf’s four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup), there’s a whole world of options worth exploring.

• Chocolate sauce
• Sparkle syrup
• Sprinkles
• Mini marshmallows
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Chopped bananas
• Chopped, toasted nuts
• Crumbled Oreos
• Mini chocolate chips
• M&M’s
• Peanut butter (warm for 30 seconds to easily drizzle it)
• Marshmallow creme
• Crushed pretzels
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Lemon zest
• Orange zest
• Strawberry jam
• Nutella
• Cooked, crumbled bacon

Buddy the Elf-Inspired Breakfast Pancakes

We aren't affiliated with 'Elf' or New Line Cinema; we're just fans producing pancakes for other fans to celebrate the film and the season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Equipment

• 1 mixing bowl
• 1 silicone spatula
• 1 resealable plastic bag, sandwich or gallon size
• 1 saute pan (at least 8 inches wide)
• 1 spatula

Ingredients

  

• 1 batch pancake batter (from recipe or box mix)
• 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
• 1/2 cup sprinkles
• 1/2 cup M&M's
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Instructions

 

• Prepare pancake batter according to the recipe or box instructions. (It should be a little thicker than buttermilk; runny enough that it's easy to squeeze out of the resealable bag.) Pour it in batches into a resealable plastic bag, adding only about a cup at a time so it's easy to draw with.
• Add butter or cooking spray to the bottom of the sauté pan. Heat over medium-low heat. Once warmed, snip the corner of the resealable bag and use it to draw a squiggly spiral onto the pan.
• Once a lip forms around the edge of the pancake and bubbles appear in the batter (around 1 minute), carefully flip and continue cooking until lightly golden on both sides.
• Top however you wish. We used a handful of sprinkles and M&M's on each, as well as a drizzle of chocolate syrup and maple syrup to top things off. Serve immediately.

We aren’t affiliated with Elf or New Line Cinema; we’re just fans producing pancakes for other fans to celebrate the film and the season.

This recipe originally ran in December 2022, but it’s since been updated to ensure its accuracy.